Field trip.

Geneva's Sports Dynasty Adds A Franchise

June 27, 1999|By Mark Mandernach. Special to the Tribune.

First it was the Kane County Cougars, who opened for business in Geneva and have become one of minor league baseball's top organizations.

Then came the Chicago Freeze, a North American Hockey League team that plays a half-mile south of the Cougars. Now Geneva's reputation as a sports hotbed continues with the introduction of the Chicago Bluesmen, a first-year team in the Roller Hockey International league.

The Bluesmen play their home games at the Fox Valley Ice Arena at 1996 S. Kirk Rd., the wintertime home of the Freeze. Stadium officials melt the ice, lay a plastic SportCourt surface and, just like that, Geneva has another professional sports team.

"Fox Valley Ice Arena is a great place to see a game," said J.P. Paul, vice president of business operations for the Bluesmen. "With only 2,800 seats, it lends itself to great enthusiasm."

Here are a few things you should know about the Bluesmen:

Tickets: Individual VIP section tickets are available on game days for $15 for adults and $12 for kids. Saxophone Section seats are $12 and $10. And Guitar Section seats are $10 and $8. Parking is free. Home games begin at 8 p.m.

Players: The Bluesmen's roster is filled with ice hockey players with resumes from the International Hockey League, the East Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League.

"Some of North America's top minor league hockey players use Roller Hockey International during the summer to work on their skills," Paul said.